Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’, particularly selected for its fruit flavor, open plant canopy, and long fruit trusses, is disclosed.

Latin name:

Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’ originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent strawberry plant ‘605U 84’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male parent strawberry plant ‘629T178’ (unpatented). Progeny plants from this cross, including ‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’, were asexually propagated via stolons in Shasta County, Calif. in April 2013. Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’ was later specifically identified and selected in Ventura County, Calif. in October 2013.

‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and has undergone testing in test plots in Ventura County, Calif. and Santa Barbara County, Calif. for seven years (2013 to 2020). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons and tissue culture.

‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’ was particularly selected for its fruit flavor, open plant canopy, and long fruit trusses.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Unless indicated otherwise, the photographs are of plants that are three months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’.

FIG. 3 illustrates flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’. Unless indicated otherwise, the data which define these characteristics are based on observations taken from plants that were three months old grown in Ventura County, Calif. and Santa Barbara County, Calif. from 2013 to 2020. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘605U 84’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘629T178’             (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—19.7 cm.         -   Diameter.—38.2 cm.         -   Height/width ratio.—0.5.         -   Number of crowns per plant.—4.6.         -   Growth habit.—Semi-upright.         -   Density of foliage.—Medium.         -   Vigor.—Medium. -   Stolon:     -   -   Diameter at bract.—3.25 mm.         -   Length.—22.5 cm.         -   Density of pubescence.—Medium. -   Fruiting truss:     -   -   Length.—17.27 cm.         -   Diameter.—2.48 mm.         -   Number of berries per fruiting truss.—2.9.         -   Attitude at first picking.—Semi-erect.         -   Truss color.—RHS 145B (Light yellow-green). -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of leaf upper surface.—RHS 134B (Strong             yellowish-green).         -   Color of leaf lower surface.—RHS 134D (Light             yellowish-green).         -   Blistering.—Strong.         -   Glossiness.—Medium.         -   Variegation.—Present.         -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: 8.93 cm. Width: 8.17 cm.             Length/width ratio: 1.1. Number of teeth per terminal             leaflet: 22.7. Shape: Orbicular. Base: Obtuse. Apex:             Complex. Margin: Serrate to crenate. Margin profile: Cupped.             Shape in cross section: Concave.         -   Petiole.—Length: 17.75 cm. Diameter: 5.14 mm. Bract             frequency (number present on each petiole): 0.5. Petiole             color: RHS N144D (Strong yellow-green). Density of             pubescence: Medium. Attitude of hairs: Upwards.         -   Petiolule.—Length: 8.88 mm. Diameter: 2.33 mm. Petiolule             color: RHS 146D (Moderate yellow-green).         -   Stipule.—Length: 4.46 mm. Width: 5.52 mm. Density of             pubescence: Medium. Stipule color: RHS N144A (Strong             yellowish green). Anthocyanin color: RHS 60A (Deep red). -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position of inflorescence in relation to foliage.—Same             level.         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Upwards. Length: 1.5 cm.             Diameter: 1.0 mm. Color: RHS 139C (Moderate yellow green).         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 22.4 mm. Number of flowers per plant:             4.5. Arrangement of petals: Free. Size of calyx in relation             to corolla: Larger. Receptacle color: RHS 2A (Vivid greenish             yellow). Stamen: Present. Anther color: RHS 17B (Vivid             yellow).         -   Petal.—Length: 9.2 mm. Width: 9.8 mm. Length/width ratio:             0.94. Number of petals per flower: 5. Color of petal upper             surface: RHS 155A (Pale yellow-green). Color of petal lower             surface: RHS 155A (Pale yellow-green). Shape: Oval. Apex:             Convex. Margin: Entire. Base: Convex.         -   Sepal.—Length: 9.2 mm. Width: 5.2 mm. Number of sepals per             flower: 10.6. Shape: Oval. Margin: Serrate. Upper surface             color: RHS 139A (Darkish yellow green). Lower surface color:             RHS 139C (Moderate yellow green).         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 26.5 mm.         -   Flowering.—Flowering interval: August to December. -   Fruit:     -   -   Fruit size.—Length: 46.9 mm. Width: 36.7 mm. Length/width             ratio: 1.3.         -   Achenes.—Achene color on the upper (sunward) side of berry:             RHS N34A (Moderate red). Achene color on the lower (shaded)             side of berry: RHS 151A (Strong greenish yellow).         -   Fruit weight.—22.2 g/fruit.         -   Fruit shape.—Conical.         -   Difference in shape of terminal and other fruits.—Large.         -   Fruit color.—RHS 45A (Vivid red).         -   Evenness of color.—Slightly uneven.         -   Glossiness.—Strong.         -   Evenness of surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.         -   Width of band without achenes.—Absent or very narrow.         -   Position of achenes.—Level with surface.         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Inserted.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Outwards.         -   Diameter of calyx in relation to diameter of fruit.—Slightly             larger.         -   Adherence of calyx.—Strong.         -   Firmness.—Medium.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 38A (Strong yellowish             pink).         -   Evenness of color of the flesh.—Slightly uneven.         -   Distribution of flesh color.—Only central.         -   Color of core.—RHS 38C (Light yellowish pink).         -   Texture when tasted.—Medium coarse.         -   Fruiting.—Harvest interval: Late July to mid-November. Type             of bearing: Day neutral. Productivity: 21,927 pounds to             38,908 pounds of fruit per acre per season from 5-month-old             plants when grown in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County,             Calif. -   Resistance to abiotic stress, pests, and diseases:     -   -   Two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae): Moderately             resistant.         -   Botrytis fruit rot (botrytis cinerea): Moderately resistant.         -   Powdery mildew (podosphaera macularis): Moderately             resistant.         -   Winter hardiness.—Moderate.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND REFERENCE VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’ differs from the female parent proprietary strawberry plant ‘605U 84’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’ has larger fruit trusses and sweeter fruit than ‘605U 84’.

‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’ differs from the male parent proprietary strawberry plant ‘629T178’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’ has larger fruit trusses and sweeter fruit than ‘629T178’.

‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’ differs from the reference variety ‘DrisStrawTwentyOne’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,506) in that ‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’ has semi-upright plant growth habit, medium plant vigor, conical fruit shape, and strong fruit glossiness, whereas ‘DrisStrawTwentyOne’ has upright plant growth habit, strong plant vigor, bi-conical fruit shape, and medium fruit glossiness.

‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’ differs from the reference variety ‘DrisStrawSixty’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,789) in that ‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’ has strong leaf blistering, leaf variegation present, slightly uneven fruit color, and day neutral type of fruit bearing, whereas ‘DrisStrawSixty’ has absent or weak leaf blistering, leaf variegation absent, even or very slightly uneven fruit color, and fully remontant type of fruit bearing. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawNinetyTwo’ as shown and described herein. 